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COMMISSION SET FOR APRIL 17 MEETING IN GARDEN CITY

2008 deer, antelope seasons highlight evening public hearingPRATT -- The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission will conduct a public meeting and hearing at the Finnup Center at Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City April 17. The afternoon session will begin at 1:30 p.m. The evening public hearing will begin at 7 p.m.

The afternoon session will include summaries of department-related action by the 2008 Kansas Legislature, as well as an overview of the department’s fiscal year 2009 budget.Other items slated for the afternoon session include the following:

a report on the status of an investigation of the alleged shooting of a mountain lion in Barber County;

discussion of the process for establishing 2008 late migratory bird seasons;

discussion of potential changes in 2009 fishing regulations, including possible addition of jug fishing as a legal method of take; changes in length and creel limits at Lake Shawnee (changing 18-inch length limit on largemouth bass to a 13- to 18-inch slot length limit and increasing creel limit from two to five fish per day) and Glen Elder Reservoir (changing walleye length limit from 15 to 18 inches); implementing a five-fish creel limit on blue catfish at Milford, Cheney, and El Dorado reservoirs; and strategies for controlling interstate fishing movement to help protect state waters from aquatic nuisance species and diseases;

a review of potential state park regulation changes, including modification of utility fees, requiring a motor vehicle permit instead of a trail access pass at Sand Hills State Park where a new campground will be opened in 2009, refining provisions allowing long-term recreational vehicle camping in state parks, and clarifying restrictions on pets at state park cabins;

an update on efforts to implement a “Children in Nature” campaign, with collaboration of KDWP, National Park Service, Kansas Recreation and Park Association, and other state agencies and organizations;

a status report on the Upper Arkansas River Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, a partnership program of KDWP and U.S. Department of Agriculture to conserve water resources and maintain water quality in 10 counties along the Arkansas River corridor; and

an overview of state and national efforts to enhance upland bird populations.

Following the general discussion portion of the afternoon’s agenda, the commission will conduct a workshop session, in preparation for potential future regulatory action, on the following topics:

recommendations to establish deer season dates on Fort Riley, as well as a one-week extension of the 2008 white-tailed antlerless-only season in northern portions of deer management units 1, 3, 7 and 8;

2008 early migratory bird seasons, including discussion of federal guidelines governing early teal season length, and discussion of department proposals to liberalize hunting of exotic dove species (Eurasian collard doves and ringed turtle doves); and

The commission will recess at about 5 p.m., then reconvene at the same location at 7 p.m. for public hearing. Among topics on the public hearing agenda are the following:2008 Deer Seasons, Limits, and PermitsDepartment recommendations:

nonresident permits valid in season of applicant’s choice upon application (archery, muzzleloader, or firearms) and valid in one unit plus one adjacent unit of applicant’s choice.

2008 Antelope Seasons, Limits, and PermitsDepartment recommendations:

Sept. 20 – 28 and Oct. 11 – 31 – Archery season;

Sept. 29 – Oct. 6 – Muzzleloader season; and

Oct. 3 – 6 – Firearm season.

Department Lands and Waters

Regulation KAR 115-8-1 establishes requirements and restrictions for activities on department lands and waters. In the past, posted notice on individual properties has been used to define any special restrictions that exist on those properties. The department has consolidated those special restrictions into a single document and proposes including reference to that document in this regulation. The purpose is to better inform the public and to enhance enforcement of special restrictions which apply on individual department properties.

Cabin Camping Permit Fees

Regulation KAR 115-2-3a establishes permit fees for each rental cabin at state parks and wildlife areas. Fees for new cabins planned for development at Atchison and McPherson state fishing lakes are proposed for addition to this regulation.

If necessary, the commission will recess on April 17, to reconvene April 18 at the same location to complete their business. Time will be set aside in each session for public comment on topics which are not on the agenda. If notified in advance, the department will have an interpreter available for the hearing impaired. To request an interpreter, call the Kansas Commission of Deaf and Hard of Hearing at 1-800-432-0698. Any individual with a disability may request other accommodations by contacting the commission secretary at 620-672-5911.-30-